Vehicle-wheel.



L. names, JR. VEHICLE WHEEL.

APPLICATION FILED D30. 5, 1910.

1,020,977, Patented Mar. 26, 1912.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

WITNESSES.-

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPM :0., WASHINGTON, D. c.

L. L. GREGG, JR. VEHICLE WHEEL.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 5, 1910.

1 ,O20,977, Patented Mar. 26, 1912.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2. /0 g .9 P

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L. L. GREGG, JR. VEHICLE WHEEL.

APPLICATION FILED D110. 5. 1910.

1,020,977. Patented Mar. 26, 1912.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

[THE

WITNESSES LUTHER L. GREGG, JR, 0F LONEJACK, MISSOURI.

VEHICLE-WHEEL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 26, 1912.

Application filed December 5, 1910. Serial No. 595,715.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, LUTHER L. Gnneo, J12, acitizen of the United States, residing at Lonejack, in the county ofJackson and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Vehicle- VVheels, of which the following is aspecification.

My invention relates to improvements in vehicle wheels.

The object of my invention is to provide a device which may besubstituted for the ordinary pneumatic tire, and which will be moredurable than the pneumatic tire, and will not be liable to punctures.

Other features of my invention are hereinafter more fully described.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate my invention, Figure l isa view, partly in side elevation and partly broken away, of myimprovement provided with a supplemental rim for employment inconnection with clencher rims. Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view onthe dotted line (Ir-Z) of Fig. 1, a portion of a clencher rim beingshown. Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of the supplementalrim which is employed to secure the device to a clencher rim. Fig. 4 isa vertical sectional view, reduced, taken on the plane of the dottedline 0-(Z of Fig. 3, of the supplemental rim which is employed to securethe device to a clencher rim. Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view takenon the dotted line 77% of Fig. 8, showing a portion of the inner rim andthe closure for the slot therein. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of aportion of an ordinary flat rim having radial holes for receiving thelocking bolts hereinafter described. Fig. 7 is a cross section similarto that shown in Fig. 2, show ing the inner rim attached to an ordinaryflat rim, such as is shown in Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is an enlarged crosssect-ion on the dotted line e-f of Fig. 1. Fig. 9 is a fragmentalvertical sectional view on the dotted line 0-10 of Fig. 8. Fig. 10 is asectional view taken on the curved dotted line gh of Fig. 9, showingattached to the inner rim the mechanism by which the operator rotatesthe gear wheels for changing the tension of the coil supporting springshereinafter described. Fig. 11 is a view partly in side elevation andpartly in section of the detachable wheel turning mechanism, the sectionbeingtaken on the dotted line z'--j of Fig. 10. Fig. 12 is a horizontalsectional View on the dotted line 7.-Z of Fig. 11. Fig. 13 is a sideelevation, reduced, of the circular rack, the two members of which areshown detached from each other.

Similar reference characters denote similar parts.

1 denotes the inner rim having parallel outwardly extending flanges 2,each provided on its outer side with an annular groove 3 in which ismounted packing material 4. The two rings 4 of packing material bearrespectively against the inner sides of two annular plates 5, which aresecured by screws 6 to and serve as flanges on the outer rim 7 whichencircles and is movable toward and from the rim 1.

A tire 8, which may be of any suitable material, such as leather orrubber, is mounted on resilient filling material 9 which rests upon theouter periphery of the outer rim 7. The filling material 9 may be of anydesired material, such as canvas, soft rubber, or leather. The rim 7 isprovided with a central raised portion 10 which forms an annularprojection on the outer side of the rim 7 and an annular groove on theinner side of the rim 7. At each side of the raised portion 10 on theoutside of the rim 7 is a groove in which is fitted filling rings 11,preferably, of wood, and which furnish a support for the fillingmaterial 9.

lVithin the central annular groove on the inner side of the rim 7 aremounted a plurality of sleeves 12, which are slidable re spectivelytoward and from the rim 1 on a plurality of radial outwardly extendingstuds 13 the inner ends of which are preferably screw threaded andfitte'd in screw threaded radial holes provided at regular intervalsaround the rim 1 in the middle thereof.

Inserted between and bearing against the rim 7 and the outer sides ofthe sleeves 12 are provided cushion plates 14 of some resilientmaterial, such as soft rubber or leather.

Rotatively mounted on the studs 13 respectively are gear wheels 15having screw threaded hubs 16 on which are respectively rotativelyfitted nuts 17, which respectively support the inner ends of a pluralityof coil springs 18 which encircle the studs 13 respectively and havetheir outer ends bearing respectively against the sleeves 12.

When the gear wheels 15 are rotated, the

hubs 16 of the said wheels will turn in the nuts 17, thereby moving thenuts inwardly or outwardly depending upon the direction of rotation ofthe gearwheels, and changing the tension of the coil springs 18.

For the purpose of simultaneously rotating all the gear wheels 15, whenone of said wheels is rotated, I preferably provide a circular rackconsisting of two semicircular members 19 the ends of which are securedtogether by any suitable fastening means.

The circular rack is revolubly mounted on the rim 1 between the flanges2 and meshes with the gear wheels 15. WVhen one of the gear wheels 15 isrotated, the rack is revolved, thereby rotating the other gear wheels.

For the purpose of rotating one of the gear wheels 15 I preferablyprovide the following described mechanism: A shaft 20 isrotativelymounted in a support comprising a plate 21 having two parallel clrcularholes 22 in which are rotatively mounted respectively two sleeves 23having longitudinal square holes in which are fitted squared portions oftwo pins 24 one set of ends of which are screw threaded, and the otherset of ends of which are provided with lateral projections 25. Nuts 26are respectively fitted on the threaded portions of the pins 24, andbear respectively against washers 27 encircling the pins 24 and bearingagainst the plate 21. Secured to and rotatable with the shaft 20 is agear wheel 28. The shaft 20 has secured to it a crank 29 by which theoperator may rotate said shaft.

As shown in Figs. 1, 5, 8 and 10, one side flange 2 of the rim 1 isprovided with a slot 30 adapted, as shown in Fig. 10, to receive thegear wheel 28 and the ends of the pins 24 having the lateral projections25. In mounting the parts as shown in Fig. 10, the nuts 26 are firstloosened, and the pins 24 are then turned to positions diametricallyopposite to what is shown in Figs. 10 and 12. The ins 24 may then beinserted through the slot 30, after which they are turned to thepositions shown in Figs. 10 and 12 and the plate 21 is placed againstthe outer side of the adjacent flange 2. The nuts 26 are then turned onthe pins 24 so as to tightly draw the projections 25 against the innerside of the adj aceht flange 2. The gear wheel 28 at this time will meshwith the adjacent gear wheel 15, so that upon rotation of the shaft 20by the crank 29 the gear wheel 28 and the one with which it meshes willbe rotated, thus rotating the other gear wheels 15 by means of thecircular rack members 19. After the springs 18 have thus been adjustedas to tension, the nuts 26 are turned so as to release the pins 24 fromengagement with the adjacent flange 2, after which the pins 24 areturned so as to permit the passage outwardly through the slot 30 of theprojections 25.

The slot 30 is normally closed by a plate 31 which is provided with alongitudinal slot 32 and is mounted on the inner side of the flange 2having the slot 30. A transverse horizontal stud 33 extends through theslot 32 and has one end secured to the adjacent flange 2. The other endof the stud 33 is screw threaded and has mounted on it a nut 34 againstwhich bears one end of a coil spring 35 which encircles the stud 33 andhas its other end bearing against the plate 31, thereby holding the saidplate against the adjacent flange 2. To move the plate 31 to and fromthe closed position, it has secured to it a horizontal pin 36 whichextends outwardly through a slot 37 provided in the flange 2 having theslot 30.

For the purpose of keeping the parts well lubricated, the space betweenthe rims 1 and 7 may be filled or partly filled with oil, which may beinserted through the slot 30, when the closure plate 31 is moved to theopen position.

The flanges 2 may be provided with oil holes 38 communicating with theannular grooves 3. The sleeves 12 may also be each provided withtransverse oil holes 39 co1nmunicating with the longitudinal hole in thesleeve.

For preventing relative rotation of the sleeves 12 and nuts 17 and yetpermitting inward and outward movement of the sleeves 12 on the studs13, any suitable means may be employed. For this purpose I have shown aplurality of pairs of plates 40 and 41 which have one set of endspivoted to each other by horizontal transverse pins 42, and the otherset of ends of which are respectively pivoted to the nuts 17 and sleeves12 by horizontal transverse pins 43 and 44 respectively.

To support the rack members 19, I preferably employ rollers preferablyspherical and denoted by 45, which are located between the rack members19 and the rim 1, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9, and which are supported bysaid rim.

To releasably lock the rim 1 to another rim of a wheel, the rim 1 isprovided with a plurality of radial holes in which are radially slidablymounted respectively a plurality of locking bolts 46 which extendrespectively through U shaped guide plates 47 the arms of which aresecured to the outer periphery of the rim 1. Coil springs 48respectively encircle the bolts 46 and have one set of ends bearingagainst the guide plates 47 respectively and the inner ends of whichrespectively bear against the bolts 46. The tension of the springs 48 issuch that the bolts 46 are normally forced to the locking position shownin Figs. 2, 7 and 9. To re- .leasably secure the bolts 46 in the lockingposition, the bolts are provided with lateral projections 49 the outerends of which are provided with horizontal screw threaded holes in whichare removably respectively fitted screws 50 which extend respectivelythrough holes provided in the adjacent flange 2 of the rim 1.

To secure the device to a rim of the clencher type, I provide asupplemental rim shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4. This rim composed of twosemicircular members 51 disposed respectively opposite to and adjustabletoward and from two semicircular members 52. The members 51 are providedwith horizontal projections 53 which overlap similar projections 54provided on the mem bers 52. The projections 58 are providedrespectively with slots 55 which register with and are disposed at right,angles to the slots 56 which are provided in the projections 54.Horizontal studs 57 are secured to the members 52 at one set of ends,the other set of ends being screw threaded and respectively fitted inscrew threaded holes pro vided in the adjacent ends of horizontal pins58 which are rotatively mounted in the members 51. The pins 58 areprovided each with a transverse hole 59 in which may be inserted anysuitable instrument, not shown, for the purpose of turning the pin so asto move the members 51 toward or from the members 52.

The clencher rim, shown in Fig. 2, and denoted by 60 is provided withtwo peripheral annular grooves 61. In attaching my improved device to arim of the clencher type, the members 51 and 52 are adjusted, by themechanism already described, so as to enable both members being insertedrespectively in the grooves 61. The pins 58 are then turned so as toforce the members 51 and 52 apart and to the positions shown in Fig. 2,in which position the members 51 and 52 will tightly engage the clencherrim. The slots 55 and 56 being disposed at right angles to each otherand at an angle of 45 degrees relative to the sides of the members 51and 52, central openings will always be provided for the insertion ofthe locking bolts 46. In securing the rim 1 to the members 51 and 52,the screws 50 are removed, and the bolts 46 forced outwardly so as topermit the rim 1 slipping over the clencher rim and members 51 and 52.The rim 1 is adjusted to a position in which the bolts 46 will enter theslots 55 and 56, as shown in Fig. 2. The springs 48 will then force thebolts 46 into said slots. The screws 50 are then replaced in the flange2 and projections 49.

When the device is to be mounted on a flat rim, such as is shown inFigs. 6 and 7, the flat rim 63 is provided with radial holes 62 whichare adapted to receive the locking bolts 46.

I do not limit my invention to the structure shown and described, asmany modifications, within the scope of the appended claims, may be madewithout departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what 1 claim and desire to secure byLetters Pat cut, is

1. In a vehicle wheel, an inner rim and an outer rim movable toward andfrom each other, a radial stud secured to one rim, a sleeve supportingthe other rim and having telescopic connection with said stud, a screwthreaded member rotatively mounted on said stud, a nut mounted on saidscrew threaded member, and a spring supported by said nut and supportingsaid sleeve.

2. In a vehicle wheel, an inner rim and an outer rim movable toward andfrom each other, a gear wheel rotatively mounted on one of said rims andhaving a screw threaded hub rotative on a radial axis, a nut mounted onthe threaded portion of said hub, and a spring supported by the nut andsupporting the other of said rims.

3. In a vehicle wheel, an inner rim and an outer rim movable toward andfrom each other, a spring supporting one of said rims, a nut supportingsaid spring, a gear wheel rotative on the other rim around a radial axisand having a screw threaded hub on which the nut is fitted, and arevoluble circular rack engaging said gear wheel.

4. In a vehicle wheel, an inner rim and an outer rim movable toward andfrom each other, a circular rack revoluble on the inner rim, a gearwheel engaging said rack and rotatively mounted on a radial axis on theinner rim, and having a screw threaded hub, a nut mounted on said hub,and a coil spring supported on said nut and supporting the outer rim.

5. In a vehicle wheel, an inner rim and an outer rim, a stud mountedradially on the inner rim, a sleeve slidable on the stud and supportingthe outer rim, a gear wheel rotative on said stud and having a screwthreaded hub, a nut mounted on said hub, a spring supported by said nutand supporting said sleeve, and a circular rack revoluble on the innerrim and engaging said gear wheel.

6. In a "ehicle wheel, an inner rim and an outer rim movable toward andfrom each other, a plurality of springs for supporting one rim on theother, a plurality of rotary gear wheels, means by which when said gearwheels are rotated the springs will be respectively varied as totension, and a circular rack revoluble on one of said rims and meshingwith said gear wheels.

7 In a vehicle wheel, an inner rim and an outer rim movable toward andfrom each other, a plurality of springs for supporting one rim on theother, a plurality of gear wheels rotative on one of said rims, acircular revoluble rack engaging said gear wheels, means for rotatingone of said gear wheels, and means for respectively varying the tensionof said springs when the wheels are rotated.

8. In a vehicle wheel, an inner rim and an outer rim movable toward andfrom each other, a plurality of radial studs carried by one rim, aplurality of sleeves respectively slidable on said studs and supportingthe other rim, a plurality of springs for respectively supporting saidsleeves, a plurality of gear wheels respectively rotative on said studsand having each a screw threaded hub, a plurality of nuts respectivelysupporting said springs and respectively engaging said hubs, and acircular rev oluble rack meshing with said gear wheels.

9. In a vehicle wheel, an inner rim and an outer rim movable toward andfrom each .other, a plurality of springs for supporting one rim on theother, a plurality of gear wheels, means by which when said gear wheelsare rotated the tensions of said springs will be varied, a circular rackmeshing with said gear wheels, and a plurality of rollers supported onone of said rims and revolubly supporting said rack.

10. In a vehicle wheel, an inner rim, and an outer rim movable towardand from each other, a plurality of springs for supporting one rim onthe other, a plurality of gear wheels, means by which when said gearwheels are rotated said springs will be ad justed as to tension, acircular rack meshing with said gear wheels and revoluble around one ofsaid rims, a support adapted to be detachably mounted on one of saidrims, a crank shaft rotative in said support, and a driving gear wheelsecured to and rotative with said shaft and meshing with one of saidgear wheels when the said support is mounted in operative position.

11. In a vehicle wheel, an inner rim and an outer rim movable toward andfrom each other, a radial stud secured to one rim, a sleeve slidable onthe stud and supporting the other rim, a screw threaded memberrotatively mounted on the stud, a nut having a threaded engagement withsaid member, means connecting the sleeve and nut for preventing rotation011 one relative to the other, and a spring supported by said nut andsupporting said sleeve.

12. In a vehicle wheel, an inner rim and an outer rim movable toward andfrom each other, a radial stud secured to one rim, a sleeve slidable onthe stud and supporting the other rim, a screw threaded member rotativeon the stud, a nut mounted on said member, and two members pivoted toeach other and to said sleeve and nut respectively for preventingrelative rotation of the nut and sleeve.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification inpresence of two subscribing witnesses.

LUTHER L. GREGG, JR.

Witnesses E. B. Housn, FLORENCE D/I. VENDIG.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

